News: Studio rigging and pipeline tool released as open source
8 January 2021
(images below)
Released today, NXT (Node eXecution Tree) is a new open source python layering and sequential execution tool for animation and VFX.
NXT enables visualization of complex scripts and easy cross-department collaboration. It’s code with layers with a nice way to see and change data. “Our vision for NXT is to simplify production workflows and provide a visual bridge between artists and developers,” says show supervisor Aaron Adams. “With this release, we hope that studios worldwide can take advantage of this visual way to manage data and processes in the pipeline.”
NXT is the first part of an ongoing initiative at Sunrise Productions to release its tools as open source. “Sunrise has benefitted so much from open source projects, and we want to engage with and support the global animation community with our tools,” shares Tim Keller, CTO of Sunrise.
The primary function of NXT is to visualize and automate programming tasks related to computer graphics and linear processing. The intent is to bridge the gap between one-off scripting and general-purpose tools through the use of inheritance, layering, and string tokens.
“NXT has allowed us to get a large number of character rigs up and running in record time with layered NXT templates. It has also allowed us to tightly integrate our workflow tools right into NXT,” says Matt Schiller, rigging supervisor.
Sue Sauer, USD pipeline TD, shares the following: “NXT's visual code style and ability to layer and instance graphs suits USD very well. In my opinion NXT adds a needed level of management to USD that makes it more ‘user friendly’ without the TD having to subscribe to any particular DCC's workflow.”
What does NXT do?
In the simplest of terms, NXT combines multiple layers of nodes into a single composite layer that is then executable. It is something like Photoshop layers for code. Users are able to mute, solo, override, and extend layers of code. The resulting composite clearly visualizes where attributes and values originated. Colors, node paths, and conveniently placed links allow users to quickly debug code.
Why use NXT?
The core functionality of NXT was built with insights from industry veterans with both technical and artistic backgrounds.
The key principles include:
Visualize and map what a complex script is actually doing. NXT uses existing conventions of nodes and connections, but it goes further and adds string tokens to instantly visualize attribute values. Tokens can be used almost anywhere inside NXT and are dynamically resolved during execution. The user sees exactly what data is flowing around without an external debugger.
Encourage collaboration through layering and multi-context/application graphs. With NXT’s layering system, it is easy for departments to share base graphs. Graphs are layered non-destructively, preserving the base layer. With multi-context graphs, a Maya user can directly call a Houdini graph from inside Maya. Alternatively, graphs can call other graphs in the same context, allowing interdependent graphs to be developed simultaneously.
Make code accessible to everyone. Artists can modify attributes and learn to make simple code changes that would normally require a TD. NXT is not visual programming, but rather a friendly visual portal into code, specifically tuned for animation workflows.
Background
NXT began as a research project led by former Disney simulation supervisor Aaron Adams while an artist-in-residence at the School of Visual Art and Design at Southern Adventist University. Adams shepherded work on NXT with the original development team while serving as show supervisor at Sunrise Productions. NXT became the foundation for the feature animation rigging pipeline and USD integration at Sunrise.
Press Inquiries
zachary.c.gray@gmail.com
About
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Sunrise is developing and producing animated content with a global crew. Known for the long-running Jungle Beat series and recent feature film, Sunrise is expanding into new feature and series work.
info@sunriseproductions.tv
https://sunriseproductions.tv/
Squarebit
Led by former Disney rigging supervisors Matt Schiller and Walt Yoder, Squarebit provides high end rigging and consulting services. Squarebit specializes in fast, highly art-directable animator friendly rigs.
contact@squarebitstudios.com
https://www.squarebitstudios.com/
USD NXT
Sue Sauer is developing a USD/NXT integration.
openrig
NXT rigging templates
https://github.com/SunriseProductions/openrig
Animation at Southern
Emphasis is placed on developing talent for the purpose of benefiting others through service. Character animation students are encouraged to tell narrative stories that reflect truths and concepts that focus on external means of change. Under the guidance of Disney veteran Hendel Butoy, instruction is focused on collaborative production where a studio-like environment is established during the third and fourth years of study. Southern Adventist University is a graduate and undergraduate co-educational university with more than 3,100 students. The university offers graduate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and associate degrees on its 1,000-acre campus in Collegedale, Tennessee.
art@southern.edu
Animation at Southern: SVAD Animation